An update of anti-viral treatment of COVID-19

Serap Şimşek-Yavuz1, Feride Ipek Komsuoğlu Çelikyurt2

  • 1Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Insights

Monoclonal antibodies are currently the most effective COVID-19 treatment. High-titer convalescent plasma may also be effective early in the disease, while other antivirals require further study.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • No definitive antiviral treatment for COVID-19 exists.
  • Numerous drugs have been investigated, some used despite preliminary or conflicting trial results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize current knowledge on antiviral treatments for COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Review of laboratory and clinical trials on COVID-19 antivirals.
  • Categorization of drugs based on their mechanism of action against SARS-CoV-2 or host factors.

Main Results:

  • Monoclonal antibodies show the most promise currently.
  • High-titer convalescent plasma may be effective in early stages.
  • Certain drugs (e.g., lopinavir/ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine) have proven ineffective.

Conclusions:

  • Monoclonal antibodies and early high-titer convalescent plasma are the most effective treatments identified.
  • Several antivirals require further investigation.
  • Newer agents are awaiting phase trial results for efficacy determination.

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